Product and method for treating sarcopenia

ABSTRACT

A method of treating sarcopenia comprises administering to a subject a composition comprising an anti-AGE antibody. The method may also be used for preventing or delaying the onset of cataracts, preventing or delaying the onset of loss of adipose tissue, increasing health span, and preventing or delaying the onset of lordokyphosis.

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass, quality and strength associated with aging. Humans begin to lose muscle mass and function at some point in the third decade of life. This loss of muscle mass typically accelerates around age 75. Sarcopenia develops in both physically active and physically inactive people. As the average human lifespan continues to increase, sarcopenia is becoming a significant health concern. The loss of muscle mass from sarcopenia may lead to poor balance, reduced gait speed and frailty. Individuals suffering from sarcopenia are more susceptible to injury and disability, and may be unable to live independently as a result. The spread of sarcopenia will likely result in increases in health care and assisted living expenses.

Sarcopenia has been considered to be an inevitable result of aging and the natural deterioration of the body over time. The primary treatment for sarcopenia is exercise. Physical exercise, particularly resistance training or strength training, can reduce the impact of sarcopenia. Testosterone, anabolic steroids, ghrelin, vitamin D, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), myostatin, selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), urocortin II (Ucn2) and hormone replacement therapy have been investigated or are being studied as potential treatments for sarcopenia. Despite this research, there are currently no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved agents for treating sarcopenia.

A recent study has identified a causal link between cellular senescence and age-related disorders, such as sarcopenia. A research team at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., demonstrated that effects of aging in mice could be delayed by eliminating senescent cells in their fat and muscle tissues without overt side effects (Baker, D. J. et al., “Clearance of p16^(Ink4a)-positive senescent cells delays ageing-associated disorders”, Nature, Vol. 479, pp. 232-236, (2011)). Elimination of senescent cells in transgenic mice was shown to substantially delay the onset of sarcopenia and cataracts, and to reduce senescence indicators in skeletal muscle and the eye. The study established that life-long and late-life treatment of transgenic mice for removal of senescent cells has no negative side effects and selectively delays age-related phenotypes that depend on cells (Id., page 234, col. 2, line 16 through page 235, col. 1, line 2). The authors theorized that removal of senescent cells may represent an avenue for treating or delaying age-related diseases in humans and improving healthy human lifespan (Id., page 235, col. 2, lines 38-51).

Senescent cells are cells that are partially-functional or non-functional and are in a state of irreversible proliferative arrest. Senescence is a distinct state of a cell, and is associated with biomarkers, such as activation of the biomarker p16^(Ink4a), and expression of β-galactosidase.

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs; also referred to AGE-modified proteins, or glycation end-products) arise from a non-enzymatic reaction of sugars with protein side-chains in aging cells (Ando, K. et al., Membrane Proteins of Human Erythrocytes Are Modified by Advanced Glycation End Products during Aging in the Circulation, Biochem Biophys Res Commun., Vol. 258, 123, 125 (1999)). This process begins with a reversible reaction between the reducing sugar and the amino group to form a Schiff base, which proceeds to form a covalently-bonded Amadori rearrangement product. Once formed, the Amadori product undergoes further rearrangement to produce AGEs. Hyperglycemia, caused by diabetes mellitus (DM), and oxidative stress promote this post-translational modification of membrane proteins (Lindsey J B, et al., “Receptor For Advanced Glycation End-Products (RAGE) and soluble RAGE (sRAGE): Cardiovascular Implications,” Diabetes Vascular Disease Research, Vol. 6(1), 7-14, (2009)). AGEs have been associated with several pathological conditions including diabetic complications, inflammation, retinopathy, nephropathy, atherosclerosis, stroke, endothelial cell dysfunction, and neurodegenerative disorders (Bierhaus A, “AGEs and their interaction with AGE-receptors in vascular disease and diabetes mellitus. I. The AGE concept,” Cardiovasc Res, Vol. 37(3), 586-600 (1998)).

AGE-modified proteins are also a marker of senescent cells. This association between glycation end-product and senescence is well known in the art. See, for example, Gruber, L. (WO 2009/143411, 26 Nov. 2009), Ando, K. et al. (Membrane Proteins of Human Erythrocytes Are Modified by Advanced Glycation End Products during Aging in the Circulation, Biochem Biophys Res Commun., Vol. 258, 123, 125 (1999)), Ahmed, E. K. et al. (“Protein Modification and Replicative Senescence of WI-38 Human Embryonic Fibroblasts” Aging Cells, vol. 9, 252, 260 (2010)), Vlassara, H. et al. (Advanced Glycosylation Endproducts on Erythrocyte Cell Surface Induce Receptor-Mediated Phagocytosis by Macrophages, J. Exp. Med., Vol. 166, 539, 545 (1987)) and Vlassara et al. (“High-affinity-receptor-mediated Uptake and Degradation of Glucose-modified Proteins: A Potential Mechanism for the Removal of Senescent Macromolecules” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, Vol. 82, 5588, 5591 (1985)). Furthermore, Ahmed, E. K. et al. indicates that glycation end-products are “one of the major causes of spontaneous damage to cellular and extracellular proteins” (Ahmed, E. K. et al., see above, page 353). Accordingly, the accumulation of glycation end-product is associated with senescence and lack of function.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the present invention is a method of treating sarcopenia, comprising administering to a subject a composition comprising an anti-AGE antibody.

In a second aspect, the present invention is a method of treating a subject with sarcopenia, comprising administering a composition comprising a first anti-AGE antibody and a second anti-AGE antibody. The second anti-AGE antibody is different from the first anti-AGE antibody.

In a third aspect, the present invention is a method of treating a subject with sarcopenia, comprising a first administering of an anti-AGE antibody; followed by testing the subject for effectiveness of the first administration at treating the sarcopenia; followed by a second administering of the anti-AGE antibody.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention is a composition for treating sarcopenia, comprising (a) a first anti-AGE antibody, (b) a second anti-AGE antibody, and (e) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The first anti-AGE antibody is different from the second anti-AGE antibody.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention is a method of increasing health span, comprising administering an anti-AGE antibody.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention is a method of preventing or delaying the onset of loss of adipose tissue, comprising administering an anti-AGE antibody.

In a seventh aspect, the present invention is a method of preventing or delaying the onset of lordokyphosis, comprising administering an anti-AGE antibody.

In an eighth aspect, the present invention is a method of preventing or delaying the onset of cataracts, comprising administering an anti-AGE antibody.

In a ninth aspect, the present invention is a method of treating sarcopenia, comprising killing or inducing apoptosis in senescent cells.

DEFINITIONS

The term “sarcopenia” means the syndrome characterized by the presence of (1) low muscle mass and (2) low muscle function (low muscle strength or reduced physical performance). Muscle mass may be measured by body imaging techniques, such as computed tomography scanning (CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA); bioimpedance analysis (BIA); body potassium measurement, such as total body potassium (TBK) or partial body potassium (PBK); or anthropometric measurements, such as mid-upper arm circumference, skin fold thickness or calf circumference. Preferably, muscle mass is measured by CT scan, MRI or DXA. Muscle strength may be measured by handgrip strength, knee flexion/extension or peak expiratory flow. Preferably, muscle strength is measured by handgrip strength. Physical performance may be measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery, gait speed measurement, timed get-up-and-go (TGUG) or the stair climb power test. Preferably, physical performance is measured by gait speed measurement. A subject may be identified as having sarcopenia or in need of treatment if (1) the subject is at least 25 years old and (2) his or her measured muscle mass and measured muscle function are two standard deviations or more below the mean value for healthy 25 year olds of the same gender and no alternative pathology has been identified to account for the reduced muscle mass and reduced muscle function. Preferably, a subject being treated for sarcopenia is at least 40 years old. More preferably, a subject being treated for sarcopenia is at least 50 years old. Most preferably, a subject being treated for sarcopenia is at least 60 years old. Alternatively, a subject may be identified as having sarcopenia or in need of treatment if (1) his or her gait speed is less than 1.0 m/s across a 4 m course and (2) he or she has an objectively measured low muscle mass, such as, for example, an appendicular mass relative to the square of height less than or equal to 7.23 kg/m² for male subjects or less than or equal to 5.67 kg/m² for female subjects (Fielding, R. A., et al., “Sarcopenia: an undiagnosed condition in older adults. Current consensus definition: prevalence, etiology, and consequences”, Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, Vol. 12(4), pp. 249-256 (May 2011).

The terms “advanced glycation end-product,” “AGE,” “AGE-modified protein or peptide,” “glycation end-product” and “AGE antigen” refer to modified proteins or peptides that are formed as the result of the reaction of sugars with protein side chains that further rearrange and form irreversible cross-links. This process begins with a reversible reaction between a reducing sugar and an amino group to form a Schiff base, which proceeds to form a covalently-bonded Amadori rearrangement product. Once formed, the Amadori product undergoes further rearrangement to produce AGEs. AGE-modified proteins and antibodies to AGE-modified proteins are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,704 to Bucala (“Bucala”) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,380,165 to Al-Abed et al. (“Al-Abed”). Glycated proteins or peptides that have not undergone the necessary rearrangement to form AGEs, such as N-deoxyfructosyllysine found on glycated albumin, are not AGEs. AGEs may be identified by the presence of AGE modifications (also referred to as AGE epitopes or AGE moieties) such as 2-(2-furoyl)-4(5)-(2-furanyl)-1H-imidazole (“FFI”); 5-hydroxymethyl-1-alkylpyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (“Pyrraline”); 1-alkyl-2-formyl-3,4-diglycosyl pyrrole (“AFGP”), a non-fluorescent model AGE; carboxymethyllysine; and pentosidine. ALI, another AGE, is described in Al-Abed.

“An antibody that binds to an AGE-modified protein on a cell”, “anti-AGE antibody” or “AGE antibody” means an antibody or other protein that binds to an AGE-modified protein or peptide and includes a constant region of an antibody, where the protein or peptide which has been AGE-modified is a protein or peptide normally found bound on the surface of a cell, preferably a mammalian cell, more preferably a human, cat, dog, horse, camelid (for example, camel or alpaca), cattle, sheep, or goat cell. “An antibody that binds to an AGE-modified protein on a cell”, “anti-AGE antibody” or “AGE antibody” does not include an antibody or other protein which binds with the same specificity and selectivity to both the AGE-modified protein or peptide, and the same non-AGE-modified protein or peptide (that is, the presence of the AGE modification does not increase binding). AGE-modified albumin is not an AGE-modified protein on a cell, because albumin is not a protein normally found bound on the surface of cells. “An antibody that binds to an AGE-modified protein on a cell”, “anti-AGE antibody” or “AGE antibody” only includes those antibodies which lead to removal, destruction, or death of the cell. Also included are antibodies which are conjugated, for example to a toxin, drug, or other chemical or particle. Preferably, the antibodies are monoclonal antibodies, but polyclonal antibodies are also possible.

The term “senescent cell” means a cell which is in a state of irreversible proliferative arrest and expresses one or more biomarkers of senescence, such as activation of p16^(Ink4a) or expression of senescence-associated β-galactosidase. Also included are cells which express one or more biomarkers of senescence, do not proliferate in vivo, but may proliferate in vitro under certain conditions, such as some satellite cells found in the muscles of ALS patients.

The term “increasing health span” means reducing age-related phenotypes. Age-related phenotypes include, for example, sarcopenia, cataracts, loss of adipose tissue and lordokyphosis.

The term “variant” means a nucleotide, protein or amino acid sequence different from the specifically identified sequences, wherein one or more nucleotides, proteins or amino acid residues is deleted, substituted or added. Variants may be naturally-occurring allelic variants, or non-naturally-occurring variants. Variants of the identified sequences may retain some or all of the functional characteristics of the identified sequences.

The term “percent (%) sequence identity” is defined as the percentage of amino acid residues in a candidate sequence that are identical to the amino acid residues in a reference polypeptide sequence, after aligning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent sequence identity, and not considering any conservative substitutions as part of the sequence identity. Alignment for purposes of determining percent amino acid sequence identity can be achieved in various ways using publicly available computer software such as BLAST, BLAST-2, ALIGN or Megalign (DNASTAR) software. Preferably, % sequence identity values are generated using the sequence comparison computer program ALIGN-2. The ALIGN-2 sequence comparison computer program is publicly available from Genentech, Inc. (South San Francisco, Calif.), or may be compiled from the source code, which has been filed with user documentation in the U.S. Copyright Office and is registered under U.S. Copyright Registration No. TXU510087. The ALIGN-2 program should be compiled for use on a UNIX operating system, including digital UNIX V4.0D. All sequence comparison parameters are set by the ALIGN-2 program and do not vary.

In situations where ALIGN-2 is employed for amino acid sequence comparisons, the % sequence identity of a given amino acid sequence A to, with, or against a given amino acid sequence B (which can alternatively be phrased as a given amino acid sequence A that has or comprises a certain % amino acid sequence identity to, with, or against a given amino acid sequence B) is calculated as follows: 100 times the fraction X/Y where X is the number of amino acid residues scored as identical matches by the sequence alignment program ALIGN-2 in that program's alignment of A and B, and where Y is the total number of amino acid residues in B. Where the length of amino acid sequence A is not equal to the length of amino acid sequence B, the % amino acid sequence identity of A to B will not equal the % amino acid sequence identity of B to A. Unless specifically stated otherwise, all % amino acid sequence identity values used herein are obtained using the ALIGN-2 computer program.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a graph of the response versus time in an antibody binding experiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates the electropherogram of a murine anti-AGE antibody.

FIG. 3 illustrates the electropherogram of a chimeric human anti-AGE antibody.

FIG. 4 illustrates ELISA binding of antibodies to CML-KLH.

FIG. 5 illustrates ELISA binding of antibodies to CML.

FIG. 6 illustrates ELISA binding of antibodies to CML from a CML-only ELISA.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The identification of a link between cellular senescence and sarcopenia allows for new treatment possibilities. For example, if anti-AGE antibodies are administered to a subject, the antibodies will specifically and selectively target senescent cells, and kill or induce apoptosis in such cells expressing an AGE-modified protein or peptide.

The present invention makes use of the discovery that enhanced clearance of cells expressing AGE-modified proteins or peptides (AGE-modified cells) is beneficial in treating or ameliorating sarcopenia. This may be accomplished by administering anti-AGE antibodies to a subject.

Administering anti-AGE antibodies to a subject may also be used for increasing health span. Health span may be increased by reducing age-related phenotypes. Administering anti-AGE antibodies may be used, for example, to prevent or delay the onset of cataracts, lordokyphosis or loss of adipose tissue.

An antibody that binds to an AGE-modified protein on a cell (“anti-AGE antibody” or “AGE antibody”) is known in the art. Examples include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,704 (Bucala) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,380,165 (Al-Abed et al.). Examples include an antibody that binds to one or more AGE-modified proteins having an AGE modification such as FFI, pyrraline, AFGP, ALI, carboxymethyllysine, carboxyethyllysine and pentosidine, and mixtures of such antibodies. Preferably, the antibody binds carboxymethyllysine-modified proteins. Preferably, the antibody is non-immunogenic to the animal in which it will be used, such as non-immunogenic to humans; companion animals including cats, dogs and horses; and commercially important animals, such camels (or alpaca), cattle (bovine), sheep, and goats. More preferably, the antibody has the same species constant region as antibodies of the animal to reduce the immune response against the antibody, such as being humanized (for humans), felinized (for cats), caninized (for dogs), equuinized (for horses), camelized (for camels or alpaca), bovinized (for cattle), ovinized (for sheep), or caperized (for goats). Most preferably, the antibody is identical to that of the animal in which it will be used (except for the variable region), such as a human antibody, a cat antibody, a dog antibody, a horse antibody, a camel antibody, a bovine antibody, a sheep antibody or a goat antibody. Details of the constant regions and other parts of antibodies for these animals are described below. Preferably, the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.

A particularly preferred anti-AGE antibody is an antibody which binds to a protein or peptide that exhibits a carboxymethyllysine modification. Carboxymethyllysine (also known as CML, N(epsilon)-(carboxymethyl)lysine, N(6)-carboxymethyllysine, or 2-Amino-6-(carboxymethylamino)hexanoic acid) is found on proteins or peptides and lipids as a result of oxidative stress and chemical glycation, and has been correlated with aging. CML-modified proteins or peptides are recognized by the receptor RAGE which is expressed on a variety of cells. CML has been well-studied and CML-related products are commercially available. For example, Cell Biolabs, Inc. sells CML-BSA antigens, CML polyclonal antibodies, CML immunoblot kits, and CML competitive ELISA kits (www.cellbiolabs.com/cml-assays). A particularly preferred antibody includes the variable region of the commercially available mouse anti-glycation end-product antibody raised against carboxymethyl lysine conjugated with keyhole limpet hemocyanin, the carboxymethyl lysine MAb (Clone 318003) available from R&D Systems, Inc. (Minneapolis, Minn.; catalog no. MAB3247), modified to have a human constant region (or the constant region of the animal into which it will be administered). Commercially-available antibodies, such as the carboxymethyl lysine antibody corresponding to catalog no. MAB3247 from R&D Systems, Inc., may be intended for diagnostic purposes and may contain material that is not suited for use in animals or humans. Preferably, commercially-available antibodies are purified and/or isolated prior to use in animals or humans to remove toxins or other potentially-harmful material.

The anti-AGE antibody has low rate of dissociation from the antibody-antigen complex, or k_(d) (also referred to as k_(back) or off-rate), preferably at most 9×10⁻³, 8×10⁻³, 7×10⁻³ or 6×10⁻³ (sec⁻¹). The anti-AGE antibody has a high affinity for the AGE-modified protein of a cell, which may be expressed as a low dissociation constant K_(D) of at most 9×10⁻⁶, 8×10⁻⁶, 7×10⁻⁶, 6×10⁻⁶, 5×10⁻⁶, 4×10⁻⁶ or 3×10⁻⁶ (M). Preferably, the binding properties of the anti-AGE antibody are similar to, the same as, or superior to the carboxymethyl lysine MAb (Clone 318003) available from R&D Systems, Inc. (Minneapolis, Minn.; catalog no. MAB3247), illustrated in FIG. 1.

The anti-AGE antibody may destroy AGE-modified cells through antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). ADCC is a mechanism of cell-mediated immune defense in which an effector cell of the immune system actively lyses a target cell whose membrane-surface antigens have been bound by specific antibodies. ADCC may be mediated by natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, neutrophils or eosinophils. The effector cells bind to the Fc portion of the bound antibody.

The anti-AGE antibody may be conjugated to an agent that causes the destruction of AGE-modified cells. Such agents may be a toxin, a cytotoxic agent, magnetic nanoparticles, and magnetic spin-vortex discs.

A toxin, such as pore-forming toxins (PFT) (Aroian R. et al., “Pore-Forming Toxins and Cellular Non-Immune Defenses (CNIDs),” Current Opinion in Microbiology, 10:57-61 (2007)), conjugated to an anti-AGE antibody may be injected into a patient to selectively target and remove AGE-modified cells. The anti-AGE antibody recognizes and binds to AGE-modified cells. Then, the toxin causes pore formation at the cell surface and subsequent cell removal through osmotic lysis.

Magnetic nanoparticles conjugated to the anti-AGE antibody may be injected into a patient to target and remove AGE-modified cells. The magnetic nanoparticles can be heated by applying a magnetic field in order to selectively remove the AGE-modified cells.

As an alternative, magnetic spin-vortex discs, which are magnetized only when a magnetic field is applied to avoid self-aggregation that can block blood vessels, begin to spin when a magnetic field is applied, causing membrane disruption of target cells. Magnetic spin-vortex discs, conjugated to anti-AGE antibodies specifically target AGE-modified cell types, without removing other cells.

Antibodies typically comprise two heavy chains and two light chains of polypeptides joined to form a “Y” shaped molecule. The constant region determines the mechanism used to target the antigen. The amino acid sequence in the tips of the “Y” (the variable region) varies among different antibodies. This variation gives the antibody its specificity for binding antigen. The variable region, which includes the ends of the light and heavy chains, is further subdivided into hypervariable (HV—also sometimes referred to as complementarity determining regions, or CDRs) and framework (FR) regions. When antibodies are prepared recombinantly, it is also possible to have a single antibody with variable regions (or complementary determining regions) that bind to two different antigens, with each tip of the “Y” being specific to each antigen; these are referred to as bi-specific antibodies.

A humanized anti-AGE antibody according to the present invention may have the human constant region sequence of amino acids shown in SEQ ID NO: 22. The heavy chain complementarity determining regions of the humanized anti-AGE antibody may have one or more of the protein sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 23 (CDR1H), SEQ ID NO: 24 (CDR2H) and SEQ ID NO: 25 (CDR3H). The light chain complementarity determining regions of the humanized anti-AGE antibody may have one or more of the protein sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 26 (CDR1L), SEQ ID NO: 27 (CDR2L) and SEQ ID NO: 28 (CDR3L).

The heavy chain of human (Homo sapiens) antibody immunoglobulin G1 may have or may include the protein sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. The variable domain of the heavy chain may have or may include the protein sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. The kappa light chain of human (Homo sapiens) antibody immunoglobulin G1 may have or may include the protein sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. The variable domain of the kappa light chain may have or may include the protein sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. The variable regions may be codon-optimized, synthesized and cloned into expression vectors containing human immunoglobulin G1 constant regions. In addition, the variable regions may be used in the humanization of non-human antibodies.

The antibody heavy chain may be encoded by the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12, a murine anti-AGE immunoglobulin G2b heavy chain. The protein sequence of the murine anti-AGE immunoglobulin G2b heavy chain encoded by SEQ ID NO: 12 is shown in SEQ ID NO: 16. The variable region of the murine antibody is shown in SEQ ID NO: 20, which corresponds to positions 25-142 of SEQ ID NO: 16. The antibody heavy chain may alternatively be encoded by the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, a chimeric anti-AGE human immunoglobulin G1 heavy chain. The protein sequence of the chimeric anti-AGE human immunoglobulin G1 heavy chain encoded by SEQ ID NO: 13 is shown in SEQ ID NO: 17. The chimeric anti-AGE human immunoglobulin includes the murine variable region of SEQ ID NO: 21 in positions 25-142. The antibody light chain may be encoded by the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, a murine anti-AGE kappa light chain. The protein sequence of the murine anti-AGE kappa light chain encoded by SEQ ID NO: 14 is shown in SEQ ID NO: 18. The variable region of the murine antibody is shown in SEQ ID NO: 21, which corresponds to positions 21-132 of SEQ ID NO: 18. The antibody light chain may alternatively be encoded by the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, a chimeric anti-AGE human kappa light chain. The protein sequence of the chimeric anti-AGE human kappa light chain encoded by SEQ ID NO: 15 is shown in SEQ ID NO: 19. The chimeric anti-AGE human immunoglobulin includes the murine variable region of SEQ ID NO: 21 in positions 21-132.

The protein sequence of an antibody from a non-human species may be modified to include the variable domain of the heavy chain having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or the kappa light chain having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4. The non-human species may be a companion animal, such as the domestic cat or domestic dog, or livestock, such as cattle, the horse or the camel. Preferably, the non-human species is not the mouse. The heavy chain of the horse (Equus caballus) antibody immunoglobulin gamma 4 may have or may include the protein sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 (EMBL/GenBank accession number AY445518). The heavy chain of the horse (Equus caballus) antibody immunoglobulin delta may have or may include the protein sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 (EMBL/GenBank accession number AY631942). The heavy chain of the dog (Canis familiaris) antibody immunoglobulin A may have or may include the protein sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7 (GenBank accession number L36871). The heavy chain of the dog (Canis familiaris) antibody immunoglobulin E may have or may include the protein sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8 (GenBank accession number L36872). The heavy chain of the cat (Felis catus) antibody immunoglobulin G2 may have or may include the protein sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9 (DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank accession number KF811175).

Animals of the camelid family, such as camels (Camelus dromedarius and Camelus bactrianus), llamas (Lama glama, Lama pacos and Lama vicugna), alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and guanacos (Lama guanicoe), have a unique antibody that is not found in other mammals. In addition to conventional immunoglobulin G antibodies composed of heavy and light chain tetramers, camelids also have heavy chain immunoglobulin G antibodies that do not contain light chains and exist as heavy chain dimers. These antibodies are known as heavy chain antibodies, HCAbs, single-domain antibodies or VHHs. The camelid heavy chain antibodies lack the heavy chain CH1 domain and have a hinge region that is not found in other species. The variable region of the Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius) single-domain antibody may have or may include the protein sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 (GenBank accession number AJ245148). The variable region of the heavy chain of the Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius) tetrameric immunoglobulin may have or may include the protein sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11 (GenBank accession number AJ245184).

The protein sequences of additional non-human species may be readily found in online databases, such as the International ImMunoGeneTics Information System (www.imgt.org), the European Bioinformatics Institute (www.ebi.ac.uk), the DNA Databank of Japan (ddbj.nig.ac.jp/arsa) or the National Center for Biotechnology Information (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

An anti-AGE antibody or a variant thereof may include a heavy chain variable region having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 20, including post-translational modifications thereof. A variable region having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity may contain substitutions (e.g., conservative substitutions), insertions, or deletions relative to the reference sequence, but an anti-AGE antibody including that sequence retains the ability to bind to AGE. The substitutions, insertions, or deletions may occur in regions outside the variable region.

An anti-AGE antibody or a variant thereof may include a light chain variable region having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 or SEQ ID NO: 21, including post-translational modifications thereof. A variable region having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity may contain substitutions (e.g., conservative substitutions), insertions, or deletions relative to the reference sequence, but an anti-AGE antibody including that sequence retains the ability to bind to AGE. The substitutions, insertions, or deletions may occur in regions outside the variable region.

Alternatively, the antibody may have the complementarity determining regions of commercially available mouse anti-glycation end-product antibody raised against carboxymethyl lysine conjugated with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (CML-KLH), the carboxymethyl lysine MAb (Clone 318003) available from R&D Systems, Inc. (Minneapolis, Minn.; catalog no. MAB3247).

The antibody may have or may include constant regions which permit destruction of targeted cells by a subject's immune system.

Mixtures of antibodies that bind to more than one type AGE of AGE-modified proteins may also be used.

Bi-specific antibodies, which are anti-AGE antibodies directed to two different epitopes, may also be used. Such antibodies will have a variable region (or complementary determining region) from those of one anti-AGE antibody, and a variable region (or complementary determining region) from a different antibody.

Antibody fragments may be used in place of whole antibodies. For example, immunoglobulin G may be broken down into smaller fragments by digestion with enzymes. Papain digestion cleaves the N-terminal side of inter-heavy chain disulfide bridges to produce Fab fragments. Fab fragments include the light chain and one of the two N-terminal domains of the heavy chain (also known as the Fd fragment). Pepsin digestion cleaves the C-terminal side of the inter-heavy chain disulfide bridges to produce F(ab′)₂ fragments. F(ab′)₂ fragments include both light chains and the two N-terminal domains linked by disulfide bridges. Pepsin digestion may also form the Fv (fragment variable) and Fc (fragment crystallizable) fragments. The Fv fragment contains the two N-terminal variable domains. The Fc fragment contains the domains which interact with immunoglobulin receptors on cells and with the initial elements of the complement cascade. Pepsin may also cleave immunoglobulin G before the third constant domain of the heavy chain (C_(H)3) to produce a large fragment F(abc) and a small fragment pFc′. Antibody fragments may alternatively be produced recombinantly.

If additional antibodies are desired, they can be produced using well-known methods. For example, polyclonal antibodies (pAbs) can be raised in a mammalian host by one or more injections of an immunogen, and if desired, an adjuvant. Typically, the immunogen (and adjuvant) is injected in a mammal by a subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injection. The immunogen may be an AGE-modified protein of a cell, such as AGE-antithrombin III, AGE-calmodulin, AGE-insulin, AGE-ceruloplasmin, AGE-collagen, AGE-cathepsin B, AGE-albumin, AGE-crystallin, AGE-plasminogen activator, AGE-endothelial plasma membrane protein, AGE-aldehyde reductase, AGE-transferrin, AGE-fibrin, AGE-copper/zinc SOD, AGE-apo B, AGE-fibronectin, AGE-pancreatic ribose, AGE-apo A-I and II, AGE-hemoglobin, AGE-Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, AGE-plasminogen, AGE-myelin, AGE-lysozyme, AGE-immunoglobulin, AGE-red cell Glu transport protein, AGE-β-N-acetyl hexominase, AGE-apo E, AGE-red cell membrane protein, AGE-aldose reductase, AGE-ferritin, AGE-red cell spectrin, AGE-alcohol dehydrogenase, AGE-haptoglobin, AGE-tubulin, AGE-thyroid hormone, AGE-fibrinogen, AGE-β₂-microglobulin, AGE-sorbitol dehydrogenase, AGE-α₁-antitrypsin, AGE-carbonate dehydratase, AGE-RNAse, AGE-low density lipoprotein, AGE-hexokinase, AGE-apo C-I, AGE-RNAse, AGE-hemoglobin such as AGE-human hemoglobin, AGE-albumin such as AGE-bovine serum albumin (AGE-BSA) and AGE-human serum albumin, AGE-low density lipoprotein (AGE-LDL) and AGE-collagen IV. AGE-modified cells, such as AGE-modified erythrocytes, whole, lysed, or partially digested, may also be used as AGE antigens. Examples of adjuvants include Freund's complete, monophosphoryl Lipid A synthetic-trehalose dicorynomycolate, aluminum hydroxide (alum), heat shock proteins HSP 70 or HSP96, squalene emulsion containing monophosphoryl lipid A, α2-macroglobulin and surface active substances, including oil emulsions, pleuronic polyols, polyanions and dinitrophenol. To improve the immune response, an immunogen may be conjugated to a polypeptide that is immunogenic in the host, such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), serum albumin, bovine thyroglobulin, cholera toxin, labile enterotoxin, silica particles or soybean trypsin inhibitor. Alternatively, pAbs may be made in chickens, producing IgY molecules.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) may also be made by immunizing a host or lymphocytes from a host, harvesting the mAb-secreting (or potentially secreting) lymphocytes, fusing those lymphocytes to immortalized cells (for example, myeloma cells), and selecting those cells that secrete the desired mAb. Other techniques may be used, such as the EBV-hybridoma technique. Techniques for the generation of chimeric antibodies by splicing genes encoding the variable domains of antibodies to genes of the constant domains of human (or other animal) immunoglobulin result in “chimeric antibodies” that are substantially human (humanized) or substantially “ized” to another animal (such as cat, dog, horse, camel or alpaca, cattle, sheep, or goat) at the amino acid level. If desired, the mAbs may be purified from the culture medium or ascites fluid by conventional procedures, such as protein A-sepharose, hydroxylapatite chromatography, gel electrophoresis, dialysis, ammonium sulfate precipitation or affinity chromatography. Additionally, human monoclonal antibodies can be generated by immunization of transgenic mice containing a third copy IgG human trans-loci and silenced endogenous mouse Ig loci or using human-transgenic mice. Production of humanized monoclonal antibodies and fragments thereof can also be generated through phage display technologies.

A “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like, compatible with pharmaceutical administration. Preferred examples of such carriers or diluents include water, saline, Ringer's solutions and dextrose solution. Supplementary active compounds can also be incorporated into the compositions. Solutions and suspensions used for parenteral administration can include a sterile diluent, such as water for injection, saline solution, polyethylene glycols, glycerin, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl parabens; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; buffers such as acetates, citrates or phosphates, and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. The pH can be adjusted with acids or bases, such as hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide. The parenteral preparation can be enclosed in ampoules, disposable syringes or multiple dose vials made of glass or plastic.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for injection include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersion. Various excipients may be included in pharmaceutical compositions of antibodies suitable for injection. For intravenous administration, suitable carriers include physiological saline, bacteriostatic water, CREMOPHOR EL® (BASF; Parsippany, N.J.) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). In all cases, the composition must be sterile and should be fluid so as to be administered using a syringe. Such compositions should be stable during manufacture and storage and must be preserved against contamination from microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. Various antibacterial and anti-fungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, ascorbic acid, and thimerosal, can contain microorganism contamination. Isotonic agents such as sugars, polyalcohols, such as manitol, sorbitol, and sodium chloride can be included in the composition. Compositions that can delay absorption include agents such as aluminum monostearate and gelatin. Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating antibodies, and optionally other therapeutic components, in the required amount in an appropriate solvent with one or a combination of ingredients as required, followed by sterilization. Methods of preparation of sterile solids for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions include vacuum drying and freeze-drying to yield a solid.

For administration by inhalation, the antibodies may be delivered as an aerosol spray from a nebulizer or a pressurized container that contains a suitable propellant, for example, a gas such as carbon dioxide. Antibodies may also be delivered via inhalation as a dry powder, for example using the iSPERSE™ inhaled drug deliver platform (PULMATRIX, Lexington, Mass.). The use of anti-AGE antibodies which are chicken antibodies (IgY) may be non-immunogenic in a variety of animals, including humans, when administered by inhalation.

An appropriate dosage level of each type of antibody will generally be about 0.01 to 500 mg per kg patient body weight. Preferably, the dosage level will be about 0.1 to about 250 mg/kg; more preferably about 0.5 to about 100 mg/kg. A suitable dosage level may be about 0.01 to 250 mg/kg, about 0.05 to 100 mg/kg, or about 0.1 to 50 mg/kg. Within this range the dosage may be 0.05 to 0.5, 0.5 to 5 or 5 to 50 mg/kg. Although each type of antibody may be administered on a regimen of 1 to 4 times per day, such as once or twice per day, antibodies typically have a long half-life in vivo. Accordingly, each type of antibody may be administered once a day, once a week, once every two or three weeks, once a month, or once every 60 to 90 days.

A subject that receives administration of an anti-AGE antibody may be tested to determine if it has been effective to treat the sarcopenia, by measuring changes in muscle mass over time. For example, a baseline muscle mass in a subject may be measured followed by administration of the anti-AGE antibody. The effectiveness of the treatment may be determined by periodically measuring muscle mass in the subject and comparing the subsequent measurements to the baseline measurement. A subject may be considered to have effective treatment of sarcopenia if he or she does not demonstrate loss of muscle mass between subsequent measurements or over time. Alternatively, the concentration and/or number of senescent cells in fat or muscle tissue may also be monitored. Administration of antibody and subsequent testing may be repeated until the desired therapeutic result is achieved.

Unit dosage forms can be created to facilitate administration and dosage uniformity. Unit dosage form refers to physically discrete units suited as single dosages for the subject to be treated, containing a therapeutically effective quantity of one or more types of antibodies in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. Preferably, the unit dosage form is in a sealed container and is sterile.

Any mammal that could develop sarcopenia may be treated by the methods herein described. Humans are a preferred mammal for treatment. Other mammals that may be treated include mice, rats, goats, sheep, cows, horses and companion animals, such as dogs or cats. A subject in need of treatment may be identified by the diagnosis of a disease or disorder that is known to cause elevated levels of AGEs such as, for example, diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2), or the presence of a pathological condition associated with AGEs such as, for example, atherosclerosis, inflammation, retinopathy, nephropathy, stroke, endothelial cell dysfunction or neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, subjects may be identified for treatment based on their age. For example, a human over 75 years of age may be treated for sarcopenia, while a human under 30 years of age might not be identified as in need of treatment for sarcopenia. Alternatively, any of the mammals or subjects identified above may be excluded from the patient population in need of treatment for sarcopenia.

A subject may be identified as having sarcopenia or in need of treatment if (1) the subject is at least 25 years old and (2) his or her measured muscle mass and measured muscle function are two standard deviations or more below the mean value for healthy 25 year olds of the same gender and no alternative pathology has been identified to account for the reduced muscle mass and reduced muscle function. Preferably, a subject being treated for sarcopenia is at least 40 years old. More preferably, a subject being treated for sarcopenia is at least 50 years old. Most preferably, a subject being treated for sarcopenia is at least 60 years old. Alternatively, a subject may be identified as having sarcopenia or in need of treatment if (1) his or her gait speed is less than 1.0 m/s across a 4 m course and (2) he or she has an objectively measured low muscle mass, such as, for example, an appendicular mass relative to the square of height less than or equal to 7.23 kg/m² for male subjects or less than or equal to 5.67 kg/m² for female subjects.

The anti-AGE antibodies may be used in cellular purification processes, such as immunopanning and immunoadsorption. Purification processes are useful in isolating desirable or unwanted cells from tissue cultures, cell cultures or blood. Cellular purification may be used in transplantations, such as a bone marrow transplant, or transfusions, such as a blood transfusion. Cellular purification is especially useful in autologous stem cell transplantation during chemotherapy to remove malignant cells and concentrate beneficial stem cells, such as hematopoietic cells expressing the CD34 protein (CD34⁺ cells). Immunopanning or immunoadsorption using an anti-AGE antibody may isolate partially-functional or non-functional cells, such as senescent cells, from a tissue culture, cell culture or blood sample. For example, an immunopanning process may involve immobilizing the anti-AGE antibody on a surface, such as a cell culture plate. A tissue culture or cell culture may then be applied to the surface. Any senescent cells present in the tissue culture or cell culture will bind to the anti-AGE antibody, leaving a purified tissue culture or cell culture that is free from senescent cells. Similarly, an immunoadsorption process may involve binding the anti-AGE antibody to senescent cells in a cell culture. The cells may then be passed through a column packed with beads that are coated with a protein that binds to the anti-AGE labeled senescent cells. The cells which pass through the column without binding will be cells that do not express AGE, such as fully-functional cells. An immunoadsorption process may be carried out with a CEPRATE SC Stem Cell Concentration System (CellPro, Inc., Bothell, Wash.) or similar apparatus.

The one-letter amino acid sequence that corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 1 is shown below:

        10         20         30         40 MNLLLILTFV AAAVAQVQLL QPGAELVKPG ASVKLACKAS         50         60         70         80 GYLFTTYWMH WLKQRPGQGL EWIGEISPTN GRAYYNARFK         90        100        110        120 SEATLTVDKS SNTAYMQLSS LTSEASAVYY CARAYGNYEF        130        140        150        160 AYWGQGTLVT VSVASIKGPS VFPLAPSSKS TSGGTALLGC        170        180        190        200 LVKDYFPEPV TVSWNSGALT SGVHTFPAVL QSSGLYSLSS        210        220        230        240 VVTVPSSSLG TQTYICNVNH KPSNTKVDKK VEPKSCDKTH        250        260        270        280 TCPPCPAPEL LGGPSVFLFP PKPKDTLMIS RTPEVTCVVV        290        300        310        320 DVSHEDPEVK FNWYVDGVEV HNAKTKPREE QYNSTYRVVS        330        340        350        360 VLTVLHQDWL NGKEYKCKVS NKALPAPIEK TISKAKGQPR        370        380        390        400 EPQVYTLPPS REEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYP SDIAVEWESN        410        420        430        440 GQPENNYKTT PPVLDSDGSF FLYSKLTVDK SRWQQGNVFS        450        460          CSVMHEALHN HYTQKSLSLS PGK

Positions 16-133 of the above amino acid sequence correspond to SEQ ID NO: 2.

The one-letter amino acid sequence that corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 3 is shown below:

        10         20         30         40 MNLLLILTFV AAAVADVVMT QTPLSLPVSL GDQASISCRS          50         60         70         80 RQSLVNSNGN TFLQWYLQKP GQSPKLLIYK VSLRFSGVPD         90        100        110        120 RFSGSGSGTD FTLKISRVEA EDLGLYFCSQ STHVPPTFGG        130        140        150        160 GTKLEIKRTV AAPSVFIFPP SDEQLKSGIA SVVCLLNNFY         170        180        190        200 PREAKVQWKV DNALQSGNSQ ESVTSQDSKD STYSLSSTLT         210        220        230         LSKADYEKHK VYACEVTHQG LSSPVTKSFN RGEC

Positions 16-128 of the above amino acid sequence correspond to SEQ ID NO: 4.

The DNA sequence that corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 12 is shown below:

ATGGACCCCAAGGGCAGCCTGAGCTGGAGAATCCTGCTGTTCCTGAGCCT GGCCTTCGAGCTGAGCTACGGCCAGGTGCAGCTGCTGCAGCCAGGTGCCG AGCTCGTGAAACCTGGCGCCTCTGTGAAGCTGGCCTGCAAGGCTTCCGGC TACCTGTTCACCACCTACTGGATGCACTGGCTGAAGCAGAGGCCAGGCCA GGGCCTGGAATGGATCGGCGAGATCTCCCCCACCAACGGCAGAGCCTACT ACAACGCCCGGTTCAAGTCCGAGGCCACCCTGACCGTGGACAAGTCCTCC AACACCGCCTACATGCAGCTGTCCTCCCTGACCTCTGAGGCCTCCGCCGT GTACTACTGCGCCAGAGCTTACGGCAACTACGAGTTCGCCTACTGGGGCC AGGGCACCCTCGTGACAGTGTCTGTGGCTAAGACCACCCCTCCCTCCGTG TACCCTCTGGCTCCTGGCTGTGGCGACACCACCGGATCCTCTGTGACCCT GGGCTGCCTCGTGAAGGGCTACTTCCCTGAGTCCGTGACCGTGACCTGGA ACTCCGGCTCCCTGTCCTCCTCCGTGCACACCTTTCCAGCCCTGCTGCAG TCCGGCCTGTACACCATGTCCTCCAGCGTGACAGTGCCCTCCTCCACCTG GCCTTCCCAGACCGTGACATGCTCTGTGGCCCACCCTGCCTCTTCCACCA CCGTGGACAAGAAGCTGGAACCCTCCGGCCCCATCTCCACCATCAACCCT TGCCCTCCCTGCAAAGAATGCCACAAGTGCCCTGCCCCCAACCTGGAAGG CGGCCCTTCCGTGTTCATCTTCCCACCCAACATCAAGGACGTGCTGATGA TCTCCCTGACCCCCAAAGTGACCTGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGTCCGAGGAC GACCCTGACGTGCAGATCAGTTGGTTCGTGAACAACGTGGAAGTGCACAC CGCCCAGACCCAGACACACAGAGAGGACTACAACAGCACCATCAGAGTGG TGTCTACCCTGCCCATCCAGCACCAGGACTGGATGTCCGGCAAAGAATTC AAGTGCAAAGTGAACAACAAGGACCTGCCCAGCCCCATCGAGCGGACCAT CTCCAAGATCAAGGGCCTCGTGCGGGCTCCCCAGGTGTACATTCTGCCTC CACCAGCCGAGCAGCTGTCCCGGAAGGATGTGTCTCTGACATGTCTGGTC GTGGGCTTCAACCCCGGCGACATCTCCGTGGAATGGACCTCCAACGGCCA CACCGAGGAAAACTACAAGGACACCGCCCCTGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCT CCTACTTCATCTACTCCAAGCTGAACATGAAGACCTCCAAGTGGGAAAAG ACCGACTCCTTCTCCTGCAACGTGCGGCACGAGGGCCTGAAGAACTACTA CCTGAAGAAAACCATCTCCCGGTCCCCCGGCTAG

The DNA sequence that corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 13 is shown below:

ATGGACCCCAAGGGCAGCCTGAGCTGGAGAATCCTGCTGTTCCTGAGCCT GGCCTTCGAGCTGAGCTACGGCCAGGTGCAGCTGCTGCAGCCAGGTGCCG AGCTCGTGAAACCTGCCGCCTCTGTGAAGCTGGCCTGCAAGGCTTCCGGC TACCTGTTCACCACCTACTGGATGCACTGGCTGAAGCAGAGGCCAGGCCA GGGCCTGGAATGGATCGGCGAGATCTCCCCCACCAACGGCAGAGCCTACT ACAACGCCCGGTTCAAGTCCGAGGCCACCCTGACCGTGGACAAGTCCTCC AACACCGCCTACATGCAGCTGTCCTCCCTGACCTCTGAGGCCTCCGCCGT GTACTACTGCGCCAGAGCTTACGGCAACTACGAGTTCGCCTACTGGGGCC AGGGCACCCTCGTGACAGTGTCTGTGGCTAGCACCAAGGGCCCCAGCGTG TTCCCTCTGGCCCCCAGCAGCAAGAGCACCAGCGGCGGAACCGCCGCCCT GGGCTGCCTGGTGAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAGCCCGTGACCGTGTCCTGGA ACAGCGGCGCTCTGACCAGCGGAGTGCACACCTTCCCTGCCGTGCTGCAG AGCAGCGGCCTGTACTCCCTGAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCAGCAGCAG CCTGGGCACCCAGACCTACATCTGCAACGTGAACCACAAGCCCTCCAACA CCAAGGTGGACAAGAAGGTGGAGCCTAAGAGCTGCGACAAGACCCACACC TGCCCTCCCTGCCCCGCCCCCGAGCTGCTGGGCGGACCCAGCGTGTTCCT GTTCCCTCCCAAGCCCAAGGACACCCTGATGATCAGCCGCACCCCCGAGG TGACCTGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCACGAGGACCCCGAGGTGAAGTTC AACTGGTACGTGGACGGCGTGGAGGTGCACAACGCCAAGACCAAGCCTCG GGAGGAGCAGTACAACTCCACCTACCGCGTGGTGAGCGTGCTGACCGTGC TGCACCAGGACTCGCTGAACGCCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTGAGCAAC AAGGCCCTGCCCGCTCCCATCGAGAAGACCATCAGCAAGGCCAAGGGCCA GCCCCGGGAGCCTCAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCCAGCCGCGACGAGCTGA CCAAGAACCAGGTGAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAGGGCTTCTACCCCTCC GACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAACGGCCAGCCTGAGAACAACTACAA GACCACCCCTCCCGTGCTGGACAGCGACGGCAGCTTCTTCCTGTACAGCA AGCTGACCGTGGACAAGTCCCGGTGGCAGCAGGGCAACGTGTTCAGCTGC AGCGTGATGCACGAGGCCCTCCACAACCACTACACCCAGAAGAGCCTGAG CCTGAGCCCCGGATAG

The DNA sequence that corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 14 is shown below:

ATGGAGACCGACACCCTGCTGCTCTGGGTGCTGCTGCTCTGGGTGCCCGG CTCCACCGGAGACGTCGTGATGACCCAGACCCCTCTGTCCCTGCCTGTGT CTCTGGGCGACCAGGCCTCCATCTCCTGCCGGTCTAGACAGTGCCTCGTG AACTCCAACGGCAACACCTTCCTGCAGTGGTATCTGCAGAAGCCCGGCCA GTCCCCCAAGCTGCTGATCTACAAGGTGTCCCTGCGGTTCTCCGGCGTGC CCGACAGATTTTCCGGCTCTGGCTCTGGCACCGACTTCACCCTGAAGATC TCCCGGGTGGAAGCCGAGGACCTGGGCCTGTACTTCTGCAGCCAGTCCAC CCACGTGCCCCCTACATTTGGCGGAGGCACCAAGCTGGAAATCAAACGGG CAGATGCTGCACCAACTGTATCCATCTTCCCACCATCCAGTGAGCAGTTA ACATCTGGAGGTGCCTCAGTCGTGTGCTTCTTGAACAACTTCTACCCCAA AGACATCAATGTCAAGTGGAAGATTGATGGCAGTGAACGACAAAATGGCG TCCTGAACAGTTGGACTGATCAGGACAOCAAAGACAGCACCTACAGCATG AGCAGCACCCTCACGTTGACCAAGGACGAGTATGAACGACATAACAGCTA TACCTGTGAGGCCACTCACAAGACATCAACTTCACCCATTGTCAAGAGCT TCAACAGGAATGAGTGTTGA

The DNA sequence that corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 15 is shown below:

ATGGAGACCGACACCCTGCTGCTCTGGGTGCTGCTGCTCTGGGTGCCCGG CTCCACCGGAGACGTCGTGATGACCCAGACCCCTCTGTCCCTGCCTGTGT CTCTGGGCGACCAGGCCTCCATCTCCTGCCGGTCTAGACAGTCCCTCGTG AACTCCAACGGCAACACCTTCCTGCAGTGGTATCTGCAGAAGCCCGGCCA GTCCCCCAAGCTGCTGATCTACAAGGTGTCCCTGCGGTTCTCCGGCGTGC CCGACAGATTTTCCGGCTCTGGCTCTGGCACCGACTTCACCCTGAAGATC TCCCGGGTGGAAGCCGAGGACCTGGGCCTGTACTTCTGCAGCCAGTCCAC CCACGTCCCCCCTACATTTGGCGGAGGCACCAAGCTGGAAATCAAGCGGA CCGTGGCCGCCCCCAGCGTGTTCATCTTCCCTCCCAGCGACGAGCAGCTG AAGTCTGGCACCGCCAGCGTGGTGTGCCTGCTGAACAACTTCTACCCCCG CGAGGCCAAGGTGCAGTGGAAGGTGGACAACGCCCTGCAGAGCGGCAACA GCCAGGAGAGCGTGACCGAGCAGGACTCCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTG AGCAGCACCCTGACCCTGAGCAAGGCCGACTACGAGAAGCACAAGGTGTA CGCCTGCGAGGTGACCCACCAGGGACTGTCTAGGCCCGTGACCAAGAGCT TCAACCGGGGCGAGTGCTAA

The one-letter amino acid sequence that corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 16 is shown below:

MDPKGSLSWRILLFLSLAFELSYGQVQLLQPGAELVKPGASVKLACKASG YLFTTYWMHWLKQRPGQGLEWIGEISPTNGRAYYNARFKSEATLTVDKSS NTAYMQLSSLTSEASAVYYCARAYGNYEFAYWGQGTLVTVSVAKTTPPSV YPLAPGCGDTTGSSVTLGCLVKGYPPESVTVTWNSGSLSSSVHTFPALLQ SGLYTMSSSVTVPSSTWPSQTVTCSVAHPASSTTVDKKLEPSGPISTINP CPPCKECHKCPAPNLEGGPSVFIFPPNIKDVLMISLTPKVTCVVVDVSED DPDVQISWFVNNVEVETAQTQTHREDYNSTIRVVSTLPIQHQDWMSGKEF KCKVNNKDLPSPIERTISKIKGLVRAPQVYILPPPAEQLSRKDVSLTCLV VGFNPGDISVEWTSNGHTEENYKDTAPVLDSDGSYFIYSKLNMKTSKWEK TDSFSCNVRHEGLKNYYLNKTISRSPG*

The shaded region of the above amino acid sequence corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 20.

The one-letter amino acid sequence that corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 17 is shown below:

MDPKGSLSWRILLFLSLAFELSYGQVQLLQPGAELVKPGASVKLACKASG YLFTTYWMHWLKQRPGQGLEWIGEISPTNGRAYYNARFKSEATLTVDKSS NTAYMQLSSLTSEASAVYYCAPAYGNYEFAYWGQGTLVTVSVASTKGPSV FPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQ SSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHT CPPCPAPELLGGPSVLLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKF NWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSN KALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPS DIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSC SVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPG*

The one-letter amino acid sequence that corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 18 is shown below:

METDTLLLWVLLLWVPGSTGDVVMTQTPLSLPVSLGDQADISCRSRQSL VNSNGNTFLQWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSLRESGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTL KISRVEAEDLGLYFCSQSTHVPPTFGGGTKLEIKRADAAPTVSIFPPSS EQLTSGGASVVCFLNNFYPKDINVKWKIDGSERQNGVLNSWTDQDSKDS TYSMSSTLTLTKDEYERHNSYTCEATHKTSTSPIVKSFNRNEC*

The shaded region of the above amino acid sequence corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 21.

The one-letter amino acid sequence that corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 19 is shown below:

METDTLLLWVLLLWVPGSTGDVVMTQTPLSLPVSLGDQASISCRSRQSL VNSNGNTFLQWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSLRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTL KISRVEAEDLGLYFCSQSTHVPPTFGGGTKLEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSD EQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDS TYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC*

The one-letter amino acid sequence that corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 22 is shown below:

        10         20         30         40 ASTKGPSVFP LAPCSRSTSE STAALGCLVK DYFPEPVTVS         50         60         70         80 WNSGALTSGV HTFPAVLQSS GLYSLSSVVT VPSSNFGTQT         90        100        110        120 YTCNVDHKPS NTKVDKTVER KCCVECPPCP APPVAGPSVF        130        140        150        160 LFPPKPKDTL MISRTPEVTC VVVDVSHEDP EVQFNWYVDG        170        180        190        200 VEVHNAKTKP REEQFNSTFR VVSVLTVVHQ DWLNGKEYKC        210        220        230        240 KVSNKGLPAP IEKTISKTRG QPREPQVYTL PPSREEMTKN        250        260        270        280 QVSLTCLVKG FYPSDISVEW ESNGQPENNY KTTPPMLDSD        290        300        310        320 GSFFLYSKLT VDKSRWQQGN VFSCSVMHEA LHNHYTQKSL SLSPGK

The one-letter amino acid sequence that corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 23 is SYTMGVS.

The one-letter amino acid sequence that corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 24 is TISSGGGSTYYPDSVKG.

The one-letter amino acid sequence that corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 25 is QGGWLPPFAX, where X may be any naturally occurring amino acid.

The one-letter amino acid sequence that corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 26 is RASKSVSTSSRGYSYMH.

The one-letter amino acid sequence that corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 27 is LVSNLES.

The one-letter amino acid sequence that corresponds to SEQ ID NO: 28 is QHIRELTRS.

EXAMPLES Example 1 In Vivo Study of the Administration of Anti-Glycation End-Product Antibody

To examine the effects of an anti-glycation end-product antibody, the antibody was administered to the aged CD1(ICR) mouse (Charles River Laboratories), twice daily by intravenous injection, once a week, for three weeks (Days 1, 8 and 15), followed by a 10 week treatment-free period. The test antibody was a commercially available mouse anti-glycation end-product antibody raised against carboxymethyl lysine conjugated with keyhole limpet hemocyanin, the carboxymethyl lysine MAb (Clone 318003) available from R&D Systems, Inc. (Minneapolis, Minn.; catalog no. MAB3247). A control reference of physiological saline was used in the control animals.

Mice referred to as “young” were 8 weeks old, while mice referred to as “old” were 88 weeks (±2 days) old. No adverse events were noted from the administration of the antibody. The different groups of animals used in the study are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 The different groups of animals used in the study Number of Animals Dose Level Treatment- Group Test (μg/gm/ Main Study Free No. Material Mice BID/week) Females Females 1 Saline young 0 20 — 2 Saline old 0 20 20 3 Antibody old 2.5 20 20 4 None old 0 20 pre 5 Antibody old 5.0 20 20 — = Not Applicable, Pre = Subset of animals euthanized prior to treatment start for collection of adipose tissue.

P16^(INK4a) mRNA, a marker for senescent cells, was quantified in adipose tissue of the groups by Real Time-qPCR. The results are shown in Table 2. In the table ΔΔCt=ΔCt mean control Group (2)—ΔCt mean experimental Group (1 or 3 or 5); Fold Expression=2^(−ΔΔCt).

TABLE 2 P16^(INK4a) mRNA quantified in adipose tissue Calculation Group 2 vs Group 2 vs Group 2 vs (unadjusted to Group 1 Group 3 Group 5 Group 4: 5.59) Group 2 Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 2 Group 5 Mean ΔCt 5.79 7.14 5.79 6.09 5.79 7.39 ΔΔCt −1.35 −0.30 −1.60 Fold Expression 2.55 1.23 3.03

The table above indicates that untreated old mice (Control Group 2) express 2.55-fold more p16^(Ink4a) mRNA than the untreated young mice (Control Group 1), as expected. This was observed when comparing Group 2 untreated old mice euthanized at end of recovery Day 85 to Group 1 untreated young mice euthanized at end of treatment Day 22. When results from Group 2 untreated old mice were compared to results from Group 3 treated old mice euthanized Day 85, it was observed that p16^(Ink4a) mRNA was 1.23-fold higher in Group 2 than in Group 3. Therefore, the level of p16^(Ink4a) mRNA expression was lower when the old mice were treated with 2.5 μg/gram/BID/week of antibody.

[96] When results from Group 2 (Control) untreated old mice were compared to results from Group 5 (5 μg/gram) treated old mice euthanized Day 22, it was observed that p16^(Ink4a) mRNA was 3.03-fold higher in Group 2 (controls) than in Group 5 (5 μg/gram). This comparison indicated that the Group 5 animals had lower levels of p16^(Ink4a) mRNA expression when they were treated with 5.0 μg/gram/BID/week, providing p16^(Ink4a) mRNA expression levels comparable to that of the young untreated mice (i.e. Group 1). Unlike Group 3 (2.5 μg/gram) mice that were euthanized at end of recovery Day 85, Group 5 mice were euthanized at end of treatment Day 22.

These results indicate the antibody administration resulted in the killing of senescent cells.

The mass of the gastrocnemius muscle was also measured, to determine the effect of antibody administration on sarcopenia. The results are provided in Table 3. The results indicate that administration of the antibody increased muscle mass as compared to controls, but only at the higher dosage of 5.0 μg/gm/BID/week.

TABLE 3 Effect of antibody administration on mass of the gastrocnemius muscle Weight relative Summary Absolute weight of to body mass of Group Information Gastrocnemius Muscle Gastrocnemius Muscle 1 Mean 0.3291 1.1037 SD 0.0412 0.1473 N 20 20 2 Mean 0.3304 0.7671 SD 0.0371 0.1246 N 20 20 3 Mean 0.3410 0.7706 SD 0.0439 0.0971 N 19 19 5 Mean 0.4074 0.9480 SD 0.0508 0.2049 N 9 9

Example 2 Affinity and Kinetics of Test Antibody

The affinity and kinetics of the test antibody used in Example 1 were analyzed using Nα,Nα-bis(carboxymethyl)-L-lysine trifluoroacetate salt (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.) as a model substrate for an AGE-modified protein of a cell. Label-free interaction analysis was carried out on a BIACORE™ T200 (GE Healthcare, Pittsburgh, Pa.), using a Series S sensor chip CM5 (GE Healthcare, Pittsburgh, Pa.), with Fc1 set as blank, and Fc2 immodilized with the test antibody (molecular weigh of 150,000 Da). The running buffer was a HBS-EP buffer (10 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl, 3 mM EDTA and 0.05% P-20, pH of 7.4), at a temperature of 25° C. Software was BIACORE™ T200 evaluation software, version 2.0. A double reference (Fc2-1 and only buffer injection), was used in the analysis, and the data was fitted to a Langmuir 1:1 binding model.

TABLE 4 Experimental set-up of affinity and kinetics analysis Association and dissociation Flow path Fc1 and Fc2 Flow rate (μl/min.)  30 Association time (s) 300 Dissociation time (s) 300 Sample concentration (μM) 20 - 5 - 1.25 (x2) - 0.3125 - 0.078 - 0

A graph of the response versus time is illustrated in FIG. 1. The following values were determined from the analysis: k_(a) (1/Ms)=1.857×10³; k_(d) (1/s)=6.781×10⁻³; K_(D) (M)=3.651×10⁻⁶; R_(max) (RU)=19.52; and Chi²=0.114. Because the Chi² value of the fitting is less than 10% of R_(max), the fit is reliable.

Example 3 Construction and Production of Murine Anti-AGE IgG2b Antibody and Chimeric Anti-AGE IgG1 Antibody

Murine and chimeric human anti-AGE antibodies were prepared. The DNA sequence of murine anti-AGE antibody IgG2b heavy chain is shown in SEQ ID NO: 12. The DNA sequence of chimeric human anti-AGE antibody IgG1 heavy chain is shown in SEQ ID NO: 13. The DNA sequence of murine anti-AGE antibody kappa light chain is shown in SEQ ID NO: 14. The DNA sequence of chimeric human anti-AGE antibody kappa light chain is shown in SEQ ID NO: 15. The gene sequences were synthesized and cloned into high expression mammalian vectors. The sequences were codon optimized. Completed constructs were sequence confirmed before proceeding to transfection.

HEK293 cells were seeded in a shake flask one day before transfection, and were grown using serum-free chemically defined media. The DNA expression constructs were transiently transfected into 0.03 liters of suspension HEK293 cells. After 20 hours, cells were sampled to obtain the viabilities and viable cell counts, and titers were measured (Octet QKe, ForteBio). Additional readings were taken throughout the transient transfection production runs. The cultures were harvested on day 5, and an additional sample for each was measured for cell density, viability and titer.

The conditioned media for murine and chimeric anti-AGE antibodies were harvested and clarified from the transient transfection production runs by centrifugation and filtration. The supernatants were run over a Protein A column and eluted with a low pH buffer. Filtration using a 0.2 μm membrane filter was performed before aliquoting. After purification and filtration, the protein concentrations were calculated from the OD280 and the extinction coefficient. A summary of yields and aliquots is shown in Table 5:

TABLE 5 Yields and Aliquots Concentration Volume No. Total Protein (mg/mL) (mL) of vials Yield (mg) Murine anti-AGE 0.08 1.00 3 0.24 Chimeric anti-AGE 0.23 1.00 3 0.69

CE-SDS analysis was performed (LabChip GXII, Perkin Elmer) and the electropherograms were plotted. FIG. 2 illustrates the electropherogram of murine anti-AGE antibody. FIG. 3 illustrates the electropherogram of chimeric human anti-AGE antibody.

Example 4 Binding of Murine (Parental) and Chimeric Anti-AGE Antibodies

The binding of the murine (parental) and chimeric anti-AGE antibodies described in Example 3 was investigated by a direct binding ELISA. An anti-carboxymethyl lysine (CML) antibody (R&D Systems, MAB3247) was used as a control. CML was conjugated to KLH (CML-KLH) and both CML and CML-KLH were coated overnight onto an ELISA plate. HRP-goat anti-mouse Fc was used to detect the control and murine (parental) anti-AGE antibodies. HRP-goat anti-human Fc was used to detect the chimeric anti-AGE antibody.

The antigens were diluted to 1 μg/mL in 1× phosphate buffer at pH 6.5. A 96-well microtiter ELISA plate was coated with 100 μL/well of the diluted antigen and let sit at 4° C. overnight. The plate was blocked with 1×PBS, 2.5% BSA and allowed to sit for 1-2 hours the next morning at room temperature. The antibody samples were prepared in serial dilutions with 1×PBS, 1% BSA with the starting concentration of 50 μg/mL. Secondary antibodies were diluted 1:5,000. 100 μL of the antibody dilutions was applied to each well. The plate was incubated at room temperature for 0.5-1 hour on a microplate shaker. The plate was washed 3 times with 1×PBS. 100 μL/well diluted HRP-conjugated goat anti-human Fc secondary antibody was applied to the wells. The plate was incubated for 1 hour on a microplate shaker. The plate was then washed 3 times with 1×PBS. 100 μL HRP substrate TMB was added to each well to develop the plate. After 3-5 minutes elapsed, the reaction was terminated by adding 100 μL of 1N HCl. A second direct binding ELISA was performed with only CML coating. The absorbance at OD450 was read using a microplate reader.

The OD450 absorbance raw data for the CML and CML-KLH ELISA is shown in the plate map below. 48 of the 96 wells in the well plate were used. Blank wells in the plate map indicate unused wells.

Plate Map of CML and CML-KLH ELISA:

Conc. (ug/mL) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 50 0.462 0.092 0.42 1.199 0.142 1.852 16.67 0.312 0.067 0.185 0.31 0.13 0.383 5.56 0.165 0.063 0.123 0.19 0.115 0.425 1.85 0.092 0.063 0.088 0.146 0.099 0.414 0.62 0.083 0.072 0.066 0.108 0.085 0.248 0.21 0.075 0.066 0.09 0.096 0.096 0.12 0.07 0.086 0.086 0.082 0.098 0.096 0.098 0 0.09 0.085 0.12 0.111 0.083 0.582 R&D Positive Parental Chimeric R&D Positive Parental Chimeric Control Anti-AGE Anti-AGE Control Anti-AGE Anti-AGE CML-KLH Coat CML Coat

The OD450 absorbance raw data for the CML-only ELISA is shown in the plate map below. 24 of the 96 wells in the well plate were used. Blank wells in the plate map indicate unused wells.

Plate Map of CML-Only ELISA:

Conc. (ug/mL) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 50 1.913 0.165 0.992 16.66667 1.113 0.226 0.541 5.555556 0.549 0.166 0.356 1.851852 0.199 0.078 0.248 0.617284 0.128 0.103 0.159 0.205761 0.116 0.056 0.097 0.068587 0.073 0.055 0.071 0 0.053 0.057 0.06 R&D Parental Chimeric Positive Anti- Anti- Control AGE AGE

The OD450 absorbance data was also plotted against antibody concentration. FIG. 4 illustrates dose-dependent ELISA binding of antibodies to CML-KLH. FIG. 5 illustrates dose-dependent ELISA binding of antibodies to CML. FIG. 6 illustrates dose-dependent ELISA binding of antibodies to CML from the CML-only ELISA.

The control and chimeric anti-AGE antibodies showed binding to both CML and CML-KLH. The murine (parental) anti-AGE antibody showed very weak to no binding to either CML or CML-KLH. Data from repeated ELISA confirms binding of the control and chimeric anti-AGE to CML. All buffer control showed negative signal.

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What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating sarcopenia, comprising administering to a subject a composition comprising an anti-AGE antibody.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is selected from the group consisting of humans, mice, rats, goats, sheep, cows, horses, dogs and cats.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is a human.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the anti-AGE antibody is non-immunogenic to a species selected from the group consisting of humans, cats, dogs, horses, camels, alpaca, cattle, sheep, and goats.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject does not have type 2 diabetes.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject does not have diabetes.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the anti-AGE antibody binds an AGE antigen comprises at least one protein or peptide that exhibits AGE modifications selected from the group consisting of FFI, pyrraline, AFGP, ALI, carboxymethyllysine, carboxyethyllysine and pentosidine.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the anti-AGE antibody binds a carboxymethyllysine-modified protein.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is sterile, and the composition is in unit dosage form.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is sterile, and the composition is in multidosage form.
 12. A method of treating a subject with sarcopenia, comprising administering a composition comprising a first anti-AGE antibody and a second anti-AGE antibody; wherein the second anti-AGE antibody is different from the first anti-AGE antibody.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first anti-AGE antibody and the second anti-AGE antibody bind AGE antigens comprises at least one protein or peptide that exhibit different AGE modifications selected from the group consisting of FFI, pyrraline, AFGP, ALI, carboxymethyllysine, carboxyethyllysine and pentosidine.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first anti-AGE antibody binds a carboxymethyllysine-modified protein.
 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: testing the subject for effectiveness of the administering at treating the sarcopenia; followed by a second administering of the anti-AGE antibody.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the anti-AGE antibody binds a carboxymethyllysine-modified protein. 17-21. (canceled)
 22. A composition for treating sarcopenia, comprising (a) a first anti-AGE antibody, (b) a second anti-AGE antibody, and (e) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the first anti-AGE antibody is different from the second anti-AGE antibody.
 23. The composition of claim 22, wherein the first anti-AGE antibody binds a carboxymethyllysine-modified protein. 24-26. (canceled)
 27. A method of treating a human subject, comprising administering an anti-AGE antibody to the subject, wherein the subject is at least 25 years of age, the subject's muscle mass is two standard deviations or more below the mean value for healthy 25 year olds of the same gender, the subject's muscle function is two standard deviations or more below the mean value for healthy 25 year olds of the same gender, and no alternative pathology has been identified to account for the reduced muscle mass and reduced muscle function. 28-41. (canceled)
 42. An anti-AGE antibody, wherein the anti-AGE antibody comprises a protein sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, and SEQ ID NO: 4, and the antibody is substantially non-immunogenic to humans, canines, felines, bovines, or camelids. 